How do I know if my child has the flu?
Your child may have the flu if they have some or all of these symptoms:
• fever *
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue
• sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
What are the emergency warning signs in children?
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical care.
Does my child need to go the emergency room if he/she is only a little sick?
No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if your child is only mildly ill. If your child has the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If your child gets sick with flu symptoms and they are at high risk of flu complications due to conditions such as a congenital heart defect, or a neurological or immunosuppressive disorder, or if you are concerned about your child’s illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.
How long should I keep my child home if they are sick?
CDC recommends that anyone with flu symptoms stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other things you have to do and no one else can do for you. (Your child’s fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®.) Your child should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.
What should I do while my child is sick?
Keep them away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, have your child wear a facemask, or have them cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Have them wash their hands often to keep from spreading flu to others. CDC has information on “Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home” on its website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm
This information was taken from the CDC website. For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm
